Cosentino Design Challenge 2026: Celebrating 20 Years of Creativity and a Standout Achievement for Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences
We're very proud to announce that Cosentino, a leading global company specializing in innovative architecture and design, named the project of one of our very own students, Marleen Maegi, as one of the top 12 designs in the annual Cosentino Design Challenge!
A Global Competition With a Strong Whitecliffe Presence
This year marked a major milestone for Cosentino as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Cosentino Design Challenge (CDC), their international research and creative competition dedicated to fostering innovation among future architecture and design professionals.
Over the past two decades, CDC has grown into a global platform that now attracts hundreds of submissions from universities across Europe, Asia, America, and Australia. This year's edition received 356 entries in total, representing 55 universities worldwide with 127 submissions in Architecture and 229 in Design.
To honor the Challenge's long history, Cosentino hosted the competition jury panel at its flagship facility in the company's homeland, Cosentino City Almeria. The jury was composed of representatives from institutions that have been closely connected to CDC since its inception, highlighting the collaborative spirit that has shaped the competition over the years.
Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences has participated in the Cosentino Design Challenge for seven consecutive years, showcasing our school's consistent dedication to encouraging students to push boundaries in design and material innovation – and the connection between Whitecliffe University Berlin and CDC extends beyond student participation.
Our president Prof. Yüksel Pögün-Zander, who has served on the jury for the last seven years, was once again part of the panel in Almeria tasked with narrowing down hundreds of anonymous projects to only a dozen winning designs. Her continued involvement reflects the university's active role in shaping the competition's standards and supporting the next generation of designers on an international stage.
Celebrating Student Dedication to Design Innovation
This year, the university's commitment was rewarded with a remarkable achievement: Marleen Maegi, 4th-semester BA Interior Architecture/Design student, was among the six selected runners-up in the Design category. Her project, "C FOR COSENTINO," earned her an official diploma recognizing her outstanding creative work.
Marleen's accomplishment demonstrates not only her talent but also the strength of Whitecliffe's design program and its dedication to nurturing emerging voices in the field.
The 20th anniversary of the Cosentino Design Challenge is more than a celebration of past achievements; it's a testament to the enduring value of global collaboration, creative exploration, and academic excellence.
With students like Marleen Maegi and academic leaders like Prof. Pögün-Zander, Whitecliffe University continues to contribute meaningfully to the international dialogue on design innovation.
Cheers to Marleen's extraordinary work, and here's to the next 20 years of inspiring projects, bold ideas, and transformative design!
Whitecliffe University Berlin, Whitecliffe University and Whitecliffe are trading names of the state-recognised Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences, formerly Berlin International University of Applied Sciences.